Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park www.nps.gov is a United States National Park that contains a cluster of islands about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, USA on Garden Key.

Construction of Fort Jefferson was begun in 1846 but never completed. President Franklin Roosevelt declared it and the waters surrounding it a National Monument in 1935.

The Dry Tortugas exist in a subtropical climate. Temperatures range from the mid-50s to mid-80s. April and May are often idyllic. There are essentially two seasons: The winter season (December-March), which can be windy with rough seas, and the tropical storm season (June-November) during which Dry Tortugas experiences both hot, humid weather and calm seas or severe weather events. Due to the ever-changing weather patterns, an accurate weather forecast is recommended before your visit.

The park is open year round during daylight hours, and is only accessible by boat or seaplane.

• Key West Seaplane Service, www.seaplanesofkeywest.com.

• Sunny Days Catamaran Ferry, www.sunnydayskeywest.com. 85-foot high-speed power catamaran. Total excursion length is between 8 and 9 hours, including two hours travel each way. $145 per adult, $100 per child; price includes breakfast and lunch.

A seven day pass is $5 for adults.

This is a cluster of 7 small islands. As such the only way to reach them (and travel between them) is by boat or seaplane.

The largest of the islands, Garden Key, hosts Fort Jefferson. Walking tours are provided and snorkeling is a must. All traffic is on foot.

• Fort Jefferson.

• Camping.
• Snorkel.
• Guided fishing trips.
• Sailing charters.

and you can go diving there

• Gift Shop. A small National Park Service Gift Shop is available inside Fort Jefferson on Garden Key. It offers a very limited selection of items.

Limited camping is available. It is $3/person per night.

• Visit Fort Jefferson. Camp one night on the same island. You can bring dive gear and take the ferry there. A great weekend trip and very relaxing. If you can't stay overnight, do try the day trip as well. For up-to-date info check out: http://www.dry.tortugas.national-park.com/camping.htm • Holly N.
• Uninhabited island. Last in the chain of the Florida Keys. It is home to abandoned Fort Jefferson. The Snorkeling is great. • Alan D.